13. Leo
Chapter thirteen
Leo
Dark. Cramped. Smelled like gym socks and injustice.
Yep. Definitely a locker.
Again.
I sighed, adjusting my glasses with the back of my wrist since my hands were pinned awkwardly against my sides. Different school, same torment. At this point, I should’ve started an international locker tour. “Welcome to Trout High, where nerds get free storage accommodations.”
A muffled yell echoed from the outside. Loud. Angry. Female?
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Wait… that didn’t sound like a teacher.
A second later, light exploded into the narrow crack of metal, and the locker door swung open with a metallic groan. I blinked, blinded. Then blinked again.
And there she was.
Voluminous curls piled high on her head. Big brown eyes locked on mine, glinting with attitude and eyeliner. Lips pursed, foot tapping, hand on her hip.
“Are you gonna get out, or are we working on your permanent residency?”
I stumbled out, trying to preserve what little dignity I had left. Wasn’t much, considering I had dust bunnies clinging to my shirt and a visible line where my face had pressed against a textbook inside.
She turned to the hallway, where Sam, the dirtbag linebacker responsible for my impromptu locker nap, was watching with a smug expression.
“You touch him again,” she snapped, pointing a finger with full cheer captain authority, “and I’ll rearrange your face to the point that you'll need a GPS to find your own nose.” Her glare could have set him on fire.
The crowd that flocked around us ooooed.
Sam scoffed.
“Don’t test me, Sam,” She said as she stepped forward. He backed up. “That’s what I thought.”
Smart guy. Bullies always folded when confronted by someone scarier than them.
I straightened, pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose, and grabbed my books. “Thanks,” I said under my breath, voice cracking just enough to make me want to disappear into the locker again.
“Name’s Cherise,” she said, turning back to me. “And you are?”
“Uh, Leo.”
“Well, Leo,” she said, popping her gum with a grin. “You must be new. I haven’t seen you around.”
“Yeah. New school, same humiliation.” I gave a half laugh that sounded more like a wheeze.
She laughed… At something I said. I fought the urge to smile.
“Don’t worry about him. He messes with you again, let me know. I’ll kick his ass.”
“You… kick his ass?”
“Yes, don’t sound so surprised. I am stronger than I look. Don’t let my height fool you.” She glanced at the clock. “Crap, I’m late for algebra. Nice to meet you, Leo.”
Then she was gone.
Strutting down the hallway like she owned it. Which, I was starting to suspect, she kind of did.
I stood there for a second too long, trying to process what just happened.
“Nice to meet you,” I whispered after her, cheeks burning. My heart pounded as if I’d been hit with a defibrillator.
“I think… I’m in love.”
***
The rest of the day was a blur of fluorescent lights, whispered jokes I wasn’t in on, and teachers mispronouncing my last name. My stomach churned with nerves by the time lunch rolled around.
I walked through the cafeteria with my tray of chicken nuggets, broccoli, and dread. Tried to sit at one table, only for a kid to slide his books into the empty seat. Tried again at a different table. Someone plopped down with their tray just as I was about to sit down, nearly knocking me over.
Awesome.
I finally found an empty table near the window and sat alone, chewing my now cold nuggets and pretending I liked it that way.
Then suddenly…. Cherise.
She appeared out of nowhere and dropped her tray across from me as if we were old friends.
“Mind if I sit?”
I froze, stunned. “Um... Yes. Please.”
“You survived geometry?” she asked.
“Barely. Mr. Timmons looks like he snacks on souls.”
She snorted, stabbing a grape with her fork. “Facts.”
Then he walked in. Derrick. My infamous twin brother.
I watched as Cherise’s eyes darted from me to him and back again, confusion knitting across her brow.
I already knew what was coming.
Any girl that sees Derrick and… well, there goes any chance they might even consider someone like me. He was athletic, with flawless teeth, perfect vision, and a natural confidence.
He was the shiny toy, and I was the tangled charger cord at the bottom of the drawer.
God clearly had a favorite twin.
I sat and tried to resist the urge to roll my eyes to the back of my head as Derrick strolled up all arrogant, and Cherise practically had to pick up her jaw from the floor.
“What’s up, lil bro,” he said, placing his tray down and sliding into the chair beside me.
“By ten minutes,” I mumbled, dragging my broccoli along my plate with my fork.
“Still counts.”
His eyes flicked to Cherise.
Here we go.
“Who is this beauty gracing your presence?”
Cherise let out a giggle. A freaking giggle. Falling immediately into his trap.
“My name is Cherise,” she said, flashing him a smile.
“Derrick,” he said with a grin. “The hotter twin brother.”
Just like that, I was invisible again. Cherise and Derrick were laughing, flirting, and totally disrespecting my inner peace.
Once again, I had to watch the girl I was starting to fall for fall not for me—no, never for me—but for my twin brother. Just like everyone else on this damn earth. Which means Cherise will officially be marked as off limits.
At this rate, I needed to just move to another state. One without a Derrick. Maybe then I’d have a shot at meeting a girl who actually chose me.
I pushed my chair back slowly, stood up, and grabbed my tray.
“I’ll let you two continue whatever… this is,” I said reluctantly.
Without waiting for a response, I walked off. Calm on the outside. Shattered on the inside.